THE TRAVELBAG SURREY CHAMPIONSHIP

THE TRAVELBAG SURREY CHAMPIONSHIP Grounds & Facilities Strategy Ownership: Graham Jackson- Chair, Grounds & Facilities Sub-Committee August 2017 1

Contents Page Chairman s Statement.. 2 Summary of criteria... 4 1. Introduction 7 2. The Pitch and Square... 8 3. Outfield and Surrounds... 8 4. Ground Equipment... 9 5. Scoring Facilities... 9 6. Pavilion and Bar... 9 7. Changing Rooms...10 8. Umpires Facilities...10 9. Other Matters...11 Chairman s Statement Why does the League have a Grounds & Facilities Strategy? An important aspect of playing league cricket at a high level is the opportunity to enjoy the game of cricket in an appropriate and good quality playing environment. Such an environment is quickly recognisable to most cricketers, particularly in respect of the standard of the pitch and outfield but also with regard to the condition and upkeep of the changing rooms and other aspects of the cricketing infrastructure. The Surrey Championship therefore publishes this guidance on what it considers to constitute a set of ground and facility standards which will meet the expectations of players participating in the county s foremost league. We are a Premier League and as such we are required by the ECB to ensure that standards in the top two divisions are of good quality, and to report annually on the qualities of pitches and outfields. The standards which are set out in this document are based on a set of requirements for Premier League cricket put out by the ECB and although those do not formally apply below Division 1 of the Championship, the League uses it as a basis for its expectations generally of grounds used for 1stXI and 2ndXI cricket. In this way clubs who move, or aspire to move, upwards through the divisions are less likely to find that they fail to meet the standards applied at the point of entry to Division 1 of the 1stXI League. All clubs will be keenly aware that providing and maintaining good quality facilities is a drain on hard-won resources. The Grounds & Facilities Sub Committee recognises this and takes account of funding issues when specifying the improvements it thinks that 2

clubs should be undertaking. At the same time, one of the reasons for setting standards is to ensure that clubs recognise the need to direct a proportion of available funds into the provision and upkeep of grounds and facilities. It would be unfair for clubs who have done this to find themselves travelling to play at grounds where similar efforts have not been made, either because fundraising has not been energetically pursued or because funds have been used in other ways. In acknowledging that clubs often need time to undertake improvements, such as where additional fundraising is required and / or the securing of permissions from planning authorities or landlords, the League will be prepared to allow clubs to enter the Championship, or take a promotion within it, based on a commitment to carry out work rather than actual delivery prior to playing at a higher level. However the subsequent achievement of what has been committed to will be monitored by the Grounds & Facilities Sub Committee and clubs face the risk of demotion to their pre-promotion status, whether this be within the Championship or not, if it is not delivered within a reasonable period. Second Grounds, intended for use for 3rdXI and 4thXI league matches, are used by clubs under a variety of different arrangements and the standard of facilities and presentation of the ground are often not within the direct control of the club. The League does not carry out systematic assessments of these grounds and realises that they will often not be capable of offering the standards expected of the main grounds ( although clubs with a second ground adjacent to their main ground should be able to adhere to key elements of this strategy). However, where the Grounds & Facilities Sub Committee becomes aware of a significant problem with a second ground or its facilities, it can decide to carry out a one off assessment and to inform the club of any measures it considers should be taken to restore the facility to an adequate condition for 3rdXI and 4thXI cricket. Peter Murphy Chairman, Travelbag Surrey Championship. August 2017 Summary of criteria (see commentary below summary for full text). 3

Definitions of terms R=Required. Where items are marked R, these are items which all clubs are expected to provide as standard. O = Optional. Where items are marked O these are areas to which all clubs should aspire. Where corresponding items are marked R for Premier and Division One clubs (at 1stXI level), then, upon promotion from Division 2 clubs are expected to provide such items stated as standard. R = Required. O = Optional n/a = not applicable 4 Premier/ Div 1 1. Introduction Security of tenure of ground. R R Consultation and Advice R R Second Grounds R R ClubMark accreditation R O 2.The Pitch and Square 2.1 Adequate size and condition. R R 2.2 Square and pitch to be cut within two days of match. R R 2.3 (a) Support matches of 120 overs. R O 2.3 (b) Support matches of 100 overs. n/a R 2.4 Light roller to be available on match days. R R 2.5 Repairing of footmarks. R R 2.6 Artificial pitches not allowed for league matches. R R 2.7 Borders with the square, artificial pitches and outfield to R R be even. 2.8 Pitch covers available. R R 2.9 Pitches covered for at least 24 hours before the match. R O 2.10 Square roped off when not in use (publically owned grounds). R R 3. Outfield and Surrounds 3.1 Outfield to be well maintained. R R 3.2 No boundary shall be less than 45 yards or more than 90 yards from the nearer middle stump on the match pitch. R O 3.3 (a) Boundary clearly marked by a rope, fence or continuous R O boundary board. 3.3 (b) Boundary with white line and markers. n/a R 3.4 (a) Sightscreens at both ends to cover at least 8 metres width R O by 3.66 metres high, positioned outside of the boundary. 3.4 (b) Single sightscreens positioned outside of the boundary. n/a R Divs. 2-5

3.5 Access to two pre-match practice nets plus outfield R O warm up area. 3.6 Surrounds of the ground to be well maintained and measures taken to ensure that lost balls do not delay play. R R 4. Ground and Equipment 4.1 Access to efficient ground maintenance equipment. R R 4.2 Good quality stumps to be in position prior to the toss R R being taken. 4.3 Spare stumps, bails, bowlers markers, fielding disks and R R umpires coats to be available. 4.4 Sawdust and towels available for use in inclement R R weather. 4.5 Ground Drying Equipment. Bowdry Ground Drying Machine or similar R O 5. Scoring facilities 5.1 Scoreboard showing running total, wickets, first innings R R total (or target score under Duckworth Lewis method) and overs bowled/to be bowled. 5.2 A designated sheltered area must be provided for the R R official scorers away from players and spectators. This to be clean tidy and fitted with sufficient tables and chairs for the purpose. 5.3 A power supply to be available. R O 5.4. Internet connection for live updating onto Play-Cricket and for uploading scorecards at the end of the match. R O 6. Pavilion and Bar 6.1 Pavilion and changing rooms adjacent to the field of R R play, to be clean and have adequate facilities for players and supporters. 6.1 External seating. O O 6.1 Pavilion should take into account the needs of people R R with disabilities. 6.2 Bar to be kept clean and tidy when open. R R 6.3 Toilets to be clean and hygienic and provided, separately R R from the player changing areas, for spectators. Separate ladies facilities and the needs of people with disabilities to be taken into account. 6.4 Large working clock clearly visible to players and R R officials. 6.5 Bell to allow umpires to signal the start and resumption R O of play. 6.6 Well stocked and in date First Aid Box. R R 6.7 Kitchen for preparation of food must meet all current R R Food Standard Guidelines. 6.7 Designated area should be of a suitable size to accommodate and seat players and officials at lunch and tea breaks. R R 5

6.7 Sufficient clean crockery and cutlery should be R R provided. Food should be of good quality and quantity and should be fresh and not allowed to stand in the open without cover for any length of time. Cold drinks to be available as well as tea. 6.8 Telephone facilities to be available and in working order R R 6.9 Notice board in prominent position to show general information together with details of emergency service contacts and directions to the nearest local hospital. Clubs with bar or catering staff should display a current Employers Liability Insurance certificate. R R 7. Changing Rooms and Showers 7.1 Separate and secure changing rooms for both teams. R R Clean, of adequate size (approximately 20sq. metres) with seating and room for kit bags. 7.2 Clean showers with non-slip flooring and at least four R R shower heads per changing room. 7.2 Dedicated shower facilities for home and visiting teams. O O 7.3 Toilet facilities to be clean and stocked with toilet R R requisites. 7.4 Abide by ECB Guidelines on Changing Rooms and R R showering facilities for junior players. 8. Umpires Facilities 8.1 Separate and secure umpires facilities. R R 8.2 Room to be approximately 7 sq. metres in size. R R 9. Other Matters 9.1 Adequate off road car parking within the confines of the ground. 9.2 Ground is well signposted if possible from the nearest O O main road. 9.3 An appointed Welfare Officer who must be DBS R R cleared. 9.3 All coaches must be DBS cleared. R R 9.4 Clubs should hold Public Liability Insurance- to be R R displayed on noticeboard 9.5 Clubs must conform with all current relevant Health and Safety Regulations. R R References TS4 ECB Recommended Guidelines for the construction, preparation and maintenance of cricket pitches and outfields at all levels of the game. TS5 ECB Pavilions and Clubhouses O O 6

1 Introduction Grounds & Facilities Strategy V3.0 August 2017 FINAL The following strategy forms the ground and facilities required of Clubs in the Surrey Championship. In addition all clubs must demonstrate sufficient security of tenure and control over their main ground to enable 1stXI & 2ndXI league matches to be played on the dates stipulated by the League from season to season. The Grounds & Facilities Sub Committee of the Surrey Championship is responsible for the interpretation and application of this strategy, including matters involving promotion and relegation. In the event of any dispute or disagreement, the Executive Committee will make a decision which will be final and binding on the club. The Grounds & Facilities Sub Committee will do its best to give help to Clubs where they are unable to immediately satisfy the criteria in this document as explained in the Chairman s Statement. Any project to build a new or upgrade a current Clubhouse and changing rooms should not be undertaken until the Grounds & Facilities Sub Committee have been consulted and approved the plans.in addition, in the event of any project to upgrade or lay a new cricket pitch, square or outfield club s must consult with the currently appointed ECB County Pitch Advisor. Where clubs have genuine or traditional reasons as to why their main ground is not available on particular days in the league season, or there are other exceptional circumstances that have not reasonably been foreseen, it is incumbent upon that club, as soon as practicably possible to firstly seek advice, and if required seek permission from the Chairman of the Grounds & Facilities Sub Committee, or in his absence another member of the Ground & Facilities Sub Committee to use another ground which has commensurate facilities to accordingly stage 1stXI or 2ndXI matches for that purpose. Such permission will not be unreasonably withheld provided always that reasonable notice is given of such request and that if necessary such ground passes an inspection for that purpose. Second (or third) grounds, intended for use for lower eleven league matches (3rdXI, 4thXI & 5thXIs) are to follow this Strategy wherever possible. The Grounds & Facilities Sub Committee reserves the right to inspect such facilities as necessary and to advise clubs as to measures to be taken to bring these grounds up to an appropriate standard and, where hiring, to work together with the ground authority to improve conditions. Failure to improve such conditions could result in closure, subject to endorsement of the Chairman or Secretary of the Championship. All clubs in Premier and Division One are to maintain an up to date ClubMark accreditation as the ECB from time to time may require. Clubs in Divisions 2-5 where ClubMark is not in place, should be encouraged to work towards such accreditation. 2 The Pitch and Square 7

1. The square should be of adequate size to be able to support a full season of league cricket. It should show a good growth of high quality grass, be free of weeds, undue amounts of thatch and other growth detrimental to true performance and be flat and show evidence of regular rolling. 2. The square and pitch should be cut within two days before the match. 3. (a) Individual pitches in addition to the above, prepared under the clubs control, must be able to support matches up to 120 overs in length and be true with predictable bounce and should not be artificially watered within 48 hours before the match. 3. (b) As above but able to support matches up to 100 overs in length. 4. A light roller should be available for use on match days. 5. Bowlers footmarks should be repaired on all previously used pitches. 6. Artificial pitches are not allowed for 1 st & 2 nd XI league matches, but where they are built into a square they must be well maintained especially at their borders with the square. 7. Attention should be given on match days to ensure that the borders between the square, artificial pitches and outfield are even. 8. Pitch covers must be available to cover an area of approximately 27 yards x 4 yards prior to and, if required, owing to inclement weather, during a match. Full roll on roll off covers are preferred to be supplemented by adequate sheeting as necessary to protect vulnerable areas such as the bowlers run ups or adjacent pitches. 9. Pitches should be fully covered for at least 24 hours before the match if necessary. 10. Where a ground is publically owned, the square should be adequately roped off for protection when not in use. 3 Outfield and Surrounds 1. The outfield shall be well maintained with a smooth surface, closely mown with no noticeable grass cuttings, holes, ruts or other hazards. 2. No boundary shall be less than 45 yards or more than 90 yards from the nearer middle stump on the match pitch. 3(a) The boundary must be clearly marked by a rope (24mm diameter minimum size), fence or continuous boundary boards. Where feasible, for player safety and spectators, the boundary should be kept 3 yards short of walls or other permanent obstructions or structures. 3(b) The boundary, if not marked in accordance with the above, must be clearly marked with a white line with markers approximately 20 yards apart. 4(a) Sightscreens (whether single or double) must be provided at both ends of the ground as appropriate. They must be of good condition and provide a minimum coverage together of 8 metres wide by 3.66 metres high, be positioned outside of the boundary in accordance with the Laws of Cricket, and enable bowling from both sides of the wicket without interruption. Solid screens with timber, metal or plastic slats (not cloth screens with metal framing) are preferable. 4(b) Single sightscreens of adequate size and good condition must be provided at both ends of the ground as appropriate. They must be positioned outside the boundary in accordance with the Laws of Cricket. Solid screens with timber, metal or plastic slats (not cloth screens with metal framing) are preferable. 5. Access to a minimum of two pre-match practice nets must be provided plus an outfield area for warm ups, fielding practice or throw downs. If use of a clearly marked pitch on 8

the square for bowlers warm ups is provided, this should be as far as possible away from the match pitch and be vacated prior to the match in accordance with the Laws of Cricket. 6. The surrounds to the ground should be well maintained and suitable measures taken to ensure that lost balls do not significantly delay play. 4 Ground and Equipment 1. Clubs should have access to efficient ground maintenance equipment that can be inspected and kept in a lockable shed where appropriate. 2. A good quality set of stumps should be used and be in position prior to the toss being taken. 3. Spare stumps, bails, bowler s markers, fielding disks (where applicable) and umpires coats should also be available as a back up. 4. Sawdust and towels should be available in sufficient amounts in the event of inclement weather. 5. As a supplement, mechanical means such as a Bowdry Ground Drying Machine or similar should be used to accelerate the removal of surface water as appropriate after inclement weather. 5 Scoring Facilities 1. A scoreboard that clearly shows the running total of the batting side, wickets fallen, first innings total (or target score under Duckworth Lewis method) and overs bowled / or to be bowled must be prominently placed close to the boundary edge and clearly visible to all players and officials. Electronic style scoreboards which are remotely operated are acceptable but a manual back up is required in case of an electronic / power failure. 2. A designated sheltered area must be provided for the official scorers away from players and spectators and be clean, tidy and fitted with sufficient tables and chairs for the purpose. 3. A power supply should be available for those using computer scoring. 4. An internet connection is required for live updating of scores onto Play-Cricket and for uploading scorecards at the end of the match. 6 Pavilion and Bar 1. The pavilion and changing facilities to be adjacent to the field of play. They should be clean and have adequate facilities for players and supporters. An external seating area is also preferred. Entry to the pavilion should take into account the needs of people with disabilities. 2. The bar must be kept clean and tidy throughout the day and, when open, empty glasses regularly cleared to a safe place. 3. Clean and hygienic toilets provided for non-playing personnel should be suitably signposted and be separated from the changing and shower areas and must be consistent with the security and private requirements of players and umpires. There must be a separate ladies facility. Separate toilet facilities should take into account the needs of people with disabilities. 9

4. A large working clock (or digital alternative) displaying the correct time must be sited so that it is clearly visible to all players and officials. 5. A bell, to allow umpires to signal the start and resumption of play, must be provided. 6. A well stocked and in date First Aid Box must be easily accessible at all times for treatment of minor injuries. 7. A kitchen for the preparation of food shall meet all current Food Standard Guidelines and the pavilion or a designated area should be of a suitable size to accommodate players and officials at lunch and tea breaks and to provide sufficient seating arrangements where applicable. Cold drinks should be made available as well as tea. Sufficient clean crockery and cutlery should be provided. Food should be of good quality and quantity: it should be fresh and not allowed to stand in the open without cover for any length of time. 8. Telephone facilities must be available and in working order. 9. A Notice Board should be provided in a prominent position to show team sheets and general information together with details of emergency service contacts and directions to the nearest local hospital. Clubs employing bar or catering staff should display a current Employers Liability Insurance certificate. 7 Changing Rooms and Showers 1. Separate and secure changing rooms must be provided for both teams and be maintained in a clean condition. Both should be of an adequate size of approximately 20 square metres, and with suitable seating and an area for equipment and bags. All rooms must have at least one hook per player for clothes and should contain a mirror. 2. The shower area must be linked directly to, or be an integral part of, the changing rooms and shall be kept clean with appropriate non-slip flooring. It should contain at least four showerheads per changing room. Dedicated showering facilities for home and visiting sides are desirable. 3. Toilet facilities must be kept clean and well stocked with toilet requisites with an adjacent washbasin, soap and towel/ hand dryer and must be well separated from the shower area. 4. Clubs must be aware, and abide by Section 3 - ECB Guidelines on Changing Rooms and Showering Facilities June 2013 insofar that they relate to mixed gender teams and junior players. 8 Umpires Facilities 1. A separate and secure room will be provided for exclusive use of the umpires and this should have seating, a mirror and adequate changing facilities for both umpires. It should ideally include its own individual shower together with toilet facilities. 2. The room shall be of adequate size for two umpires and as a guide be approximately 7 square metres in size. 9 Other Matters 1. Adequate off road car parking should be provided within the confines of the ground. 2. Clubs should ensure that their ground is well signposted if possible from the nearest main road to assist visiting players and spectators alike. 10

3. Clubs must appoint a Welfare Officer who must be DBS cleared to deal with issues involving young people. All coaches must also be DBS cleared for similar purposes. 4. Clubs should hold Public Liability Insurance for a realistic figure. A copy of such certificate should be displayed on the Club s Notice board. 5. Clubs will conform with all current Health and Safety Regulations applicable to their grounds in question. Versions Issued Version number Changes Issued V1.0 Original 25 March 2013 V2.0 Sponsor changes. Clause 2.8 changed from Optional 26 April 2016 to Mandatory for Divs. 2-5. V3.0 General revs. Chairman s Statement added. Clause 3.3a boundary rope minimum diameter defined. Mandatory replaced with Required. Definition of Terms added. 15 August 2017 11